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Pepper Brooks #1-3
A Pepper Brooks Mystery Collection: A Cozy Box Set Books 1-3
Readers, these are the first three books in a literary-themed cozy series. If you love classic literature, feel like there's nothing better than the smell of books, see a library as a place of solace, and don't mind an adorable puppy named Hammy hanging around, you're going to love these books. Each book features a different classic author. ;) Happy reading! Book Literally Dead To solve or not to solve? When a visiting professor is found dead, English major Pepper Brooks is caught in the middle of the investigation. Literally. While the detectives focus on crime scene forensics, Pepper can't ignore the Shakespearian clues left by the killer.With the help of a handsome library clerk, a dog named Hamburger, and the words of The Bard himself, this unlikely sleuth might just close the book on this case. Book Literally MurderA Farewell to Blondes When a young woman shows up dead in Campus Creek, amateur sleuth Pepper Brooks is warned not to get involved. She's fine with that. It's her final quarter of college, she's immersed in Hemingway and planning her future.Plus, things are already complicated enough trying to figure out where everything stands with Alex, her maybe-boyfriend. But when two more fair-haired women show up drowned, Pepper literally can't stay away. Especially when her best friend may be the next one For Whom the Bell Tolls.Book Literally Gone It is a truth universally acknowledged that an overly inflated ego must be in want of the spotlight. When the actor set to play Mr. Darcy is found murdered in his dressing room, Pine Crest’s annual AustenFest is derailed. Pepper Brooks must set her pride and prejudice aside to differentiate between rumor and truth as she searches for the killer.Between running her new bookstore and trying to decide who is a Darcy and who is a Wickham, Pepper quickly finds that her story might not end as happily as those written by Jane Austen.
552 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2019
477 people are currently reading
273 people want to read
About the author
Eryn Scott
76 books475 followersEryn Scott is the author of heartwarming cozy mysteries. Her novels feature close friendships and strong families because those are the most important things in her life -- a little humor doesn't hurt either.
She calls the Pacific Northwest home and doesn't plan on changing that anytime soon. Eryn loves to hike, horseback ride, knit, ski, and read. She believes musicals are the greatest thing since lattes, even though she's not particularly good at singing or dancing -- hey, a girl can dream, right?
Her first cozy mystery series, Pepper Brooks, is based on some of the greats in classic literature. Each book features a different author from Shakespeare to Austen. Eryn's newest series is set in a little town called Stoneybrook. The Stoneybrook Mysteries follow local jam-maker Hadley James as she solves mysteries in her town's year-round farmers market. From deceased knitters to sabotaged florists, these crafty citizens keep Hadley and her twin brother, a deputy sheriff, on their toes. Pebble Cove Teahouse Mysteries are great for readers who love a hint of paranormal with their mysteries. These books feature a tiny town tucked between craggy coastline and rocky shores with quirky characters of both the living and non-living variety. Look for new releases from all three of these series in 2022 as well as Eryn Scott's new cozy series.
You can visit her website, erynscott.com, for more information about her books and new releases.
She calls the Pacific Northwest home and doesn't plan on changing that anytime soon. Eryn loves to hike, horseback ride, knit, ski, and read. She believes musicals are the greatest thing since lattes, even though she's not particularly good at singing or dancing -- hey, a girl can dream, right?
Her first cozy mystery series, Pepper Brooks, is based on some of the greats in classic literature. Each book features a different author from Shakespeare to Austen. Eryn's newest series is set in a little town called Stoneybrook. The Stoneybrook Mysteries follow local jam-maker Hadley James as she solves mysteries in her town's year-round farmers market. From deceased knitters to sabotaged florists, these crafty citizens keep Hadley and her twin brother, a deputy sheriff, on their toes. Pebble Cove Teahouse Mysteries are great for readers who love a hint of paranormal with their mysteries. These books feature a tiny town tucked between craggy coastline and rocky shores with quirky characters of both the living and non-living variety. Look for new releases from all three of these series in 2022 as well as Eryn Scott's new cozy series.
You can visit her website, erynscott.com, for more information about her books and new releases.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 11, 2021
Cozy mysteries all have a "hook," usually expressed in the punny titles. In these cozies, Pepper Brooks is an English major, hence the "Literally...." titles and the unifying theme for the books. Obviously, this is right up my alley as a former English major.
We meet Pepper in "Literally Dead," book #1. A visiting professor is found in Pepper's favorite professor's office - dead - w/ a quote from Hamlet clutched in his hand. Pepper notes that it is misquoted, which piques her curiosity and gets her involved in clearing her professor's name. The detective on the case - and the cute guy at the library who is his son - thinks she's a nuisance. Until she helps clear the case, of course. There is the obligatory heroine-in-peril at the end of the book, and LOTS of references to Shakespeare, especially Hamlet, thrown in. We also have the budding-romance-with-an-investigator thrown in. And the nice thing w/ this cozy was that I did not know the identity of the murderer ahead of time.
Book #2 - "Literally Murder" - begins w/ a co-ed found dead in the local creek, after the school tabloid had asked "Do we have to find a dead body in the creek before the admin does anything about the water quality on campus?" More murder victims are found in bodies of water as this mystery progresses. Alex is back in town after going to the police academy and Pepper is in her senior year in college. So -- are Alex and Pepper an item or not? Is the murderer the reporter for the sleazy campus publication or not? More peril for Pepper, and a plethora of Hemingway quotes in this one.
"Literally Gone" is book #3. Pepper and roommate Liv have graduated, and Pepper now runs the local bookstore. I think we'd all LOVE a job where we could simply lock the door when we needed time away from our jobs! Anyway, in this one, a soap-opera actor returns home to force his way into performing Mr. Darcy in the local "Pride and Prejudice" play for the local Jane Austen week. The actor who was supposed to play Darcy is found dead in the visiting actor's trailer. Was this murder done mistakenly? Was the victim supposed to be the visiting actor? There are a whole bunch of Jane Austen references in this one. I am catching on to Ms. Scott's writing style, and suspected the correct murderer pretty early on in this book. I've learned that Scott's murderer is generally who you least suspect, which helped.
Overall, these were surprisingly-suspenseful, well-written cozy mysteries, and of course, I enjoyed all the literary references. I am looking forward to the next book(s) in the series. I rated this boxed set 4 stars, as I generally don't rate cozy mysteries as highly as more literary books. It doesn't mean that I didn't enjoy them.
We meet Pepper in "Literally Dead," book #1. A visiting professor is found in Pepper's favorite professor's office - dead - w/ a quote from Hamlet clutched in his hand. Pepper notes that it is misquoted, which piques her curiosity and gets her involved in clearing her professor's name. The detective on the case - and the cute guy at the library who is his son - thinks she's a nuisance. Until she helps clear the case, of course. There is the obligatory heroine-in-peril at the end of the book, and LOTS of references to Shakespeare, especially Hamlet, thrown in. We also have the budding-romance-with-an-investigator thrown in. And the nice thing w/ this cozy was that I did not know the identity of the murderer ahead of time.
Book #2 - "Literally Murder" - begins w/ a co-ed found dead in the local creek, after the school tabloid had asked "Do we have to find a dead body in the creek before the admin does anything about the water quality on campus?" More murder victims are found in bodies of water as this mystery progresses. Alex is back in town after going to the police academy and Pepper is in her senior year in college. So -- are Alex and Pepper an item or not? Is the murderer the reporter for the sleazy campus publication or not? More peril for Pepper, and a plethora of Hemingway quotes in this one.
"Literally Gone" is book #3. Pepper and roommate Liv have graduated, and Pepper now runs the local bookstore. I think we'd all LOVE a job where we could simply lock the door when we needed time away from our jobs! Anyway, in this one, a soap-opera actor returns home to force his way into performing Mr. Darcy in the local "Pride and Prejudice" play for the local Jane Austen week. The actor who was supposed to play Darcy is found dead in the visiting actor's trailer. Was this murder done mistakenly? Was the victim supposed to be the visiting actor? There are a whole bunch of Jane Austen references in this one. I am catching on to Ms. Scott's writing style, and suspected the correct murderer pretty early on in this book. I've learned that Scott's murderer is generally who you least suspect, which helped.
Overall, these were surprisingly-suspenseful, well-written cozy mysteries, and of course, I enjoyed all the literary references. I am looking forward to the next book(s) in the series. I rated this boxed set 4 stars, as I generally don't rate cozy mysteries as highly as more literary books. It doesn't mean that I didn't enjoy them.
September 27, 2021
Literal Genius Storytelling!
Pepper Brooks, a college student at NWU, seems to have it all: a wonderful roommate in her off-campus apartment named Liv, a cute Boston Terrier named Hamburger, and a passion for English classic literature. On her way to a talk by a guest speaker, Dr. Davis Campbell, a Shakespeare enthusiast, Pepper finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery when he winds up dead in the office of Pepper's teacher and mentor, Dr. Ferguson (Fergie to Pepper), along with a cryptic Shakesperian note, and the suspects run wild.
This book has a wonderful cast of characters and suspects: “library guy” Alex (Pepper's reluctant crush), Professor Evensworth (Evilsworth to Pepper and her friends), “Naked Newt” the town's quirky entrepreneur with an oddly morbid sense of humor, and Fergie, Pepper's mentor and English professor with a zest for drama and hidden past. Set in a small New England town called Pine Crest, where everyone knows everyone, this book gives you all the fall feels!
I will admit this book reads like a Nancy Drew with a ton of references to her peppered throughout the novel (see what I did there). You may solve the mystery before the whole thing is over, but the characters are so rich and the budding romance with “library guy” Alex will keep you interested until the end.
I give this book:
📖 📖 📖 📖 📖 5 books for literary genius
👻 👻 2 ghosts for spookiness
🙀 🙀 🙀 3 screams for suspense
I suggest reading this book at night, preferably with a cozy fire while drinking a half mocha half got chocolate like Pepper drank in the novel. I found this book for free with Kindle Unlimited as a set of three. I will be reviewing the next two in the set in the future!
Everyone have a wonderful Monday and Don't Stop Your Reading!
Pepper Brooks, a college student at NWU, seems to have it all: a wonderful roommate in her off-campus apartment named Liv, a cute Boston Terrier named Hamburger, and a passion for English classic literature. On her way to a talk by a guest speaker, Dr. Davis Campbell, a Shakespeare enthusiast, Pepper finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery when he winds up dead in the office of Pepper's teacher and mentor, Dr. Ferguson (Fergie to Pepper), along with a cryptic Shakesperian note, and the suspects run wild.
This book has a wonderful cast of characters and suspects: “library guy” Alex (Pepper's reluctant crush), Professor Evensworth (Evilsworth to Pepper and her friends), “Naked Newt” the town's quirky entrepreneur with an oddly morbid sense of humor, and Fergie, Pepper's mentor and English professor with a zest for drama and hidden past. Set in a small New England town called Pine Crest, where everyone knows everyone, this book gives you all the fall feels!
I will admit this book reads like a Nancy Drew with a ton of references to her peppered throughout the novel (see what I did there). You may solve the mystery before the whole thing is over, but the characters are so rich and the budding romance with “library guy” Alex will keep you interested until the end.
I give this book:
📖 📖 📖 📖 📖 5 books for literary genius
👻 👻 2 ghosts for spookiness
🙀 🙀 🙀 3 screams for suspense
I suggest reading this book at night, preferably with a cozy fire while drinking a half mocha half got chocolate like Pepper drank in the novel. I found this book for free with Kindle Unlimited as a set of three. I will be reviewing the next two in the set in the future!
Everyone have a wonderful Monday and Don't Stop Your Reading!
October 17, 2021
A Series Well Worth Reading
It was very enjoyable getting to know the characters and watching them grow from college students to young adults beginning their careers. The murder mysteries are well designed and lead you in many wrong directions before the guilty were revealed. Each book is themed around the works of a different, famous author which brings a really interesting twist to the stories.
I recommend this series.
It was very enjoyable getting to know the characters and watching them grow from college students to young adults beginning their careers. The murder mysteries are well designed and lead you in many wrong directions before the guilty were revealed. Each book is themed around the works of a different, famous author which brings a really interesting twist to the stories.
I recommend this series.
February 1, 2022
Book 1
OMG. This book had me at the first chapter.
I love love love everything about this story. A true amateur sleuth, bumbling around, flinging accusations, knowing with everything she has that she knows who the killer is. It's fantastically written. I love Pepper so much, and excited to get to know her throughout these books.
I did not expect the final twist at all, caught me by surprise, but made total sense looking back at all the clues. It was such a well laid out mystery, my anxiety was in over drive for most of the book!
The small town setting, mixed with a college town reminded me of my own college days, it's just perfection. All of it.
You'll love this book if you love bumbling sleuths who make mistakes, provide a few embarrassing laughs, and have a strong support system.
Book 2
Such a well laid out mystery. I second guessed myself till the end.
I adore Pepper, and how she is attracted to the puzzle of the case, but knows rationally that she isn't the police. Her inner battle to solve the case or stay out of it is refreshing. While she is a take charge character she also know when to rely on her friend circle for help.
Every side character has their own growth arc, which I makes me love this series even more. This book is full of growth for all the characters in Pepper's life and I felt it added so much depth to the story.
This series having each book tie into a literary theme is perfection. It makes me so giddy to follow along as she connects the case back to a famous writer. With this being the second series I've read by Eryn that has heavy reader themes, I assume she is a fellow bibliophile. I hope to see more book related series from her.
This book features a serial killer, and it's so well set up. Throughout the book I kept trying to work through the clues, looking back the culprit totally makes sense, but man was it a good ride to get to that person.
And finally, the ending. Holy crap the ending made me teary eyed. So much awesomeness, and celebrating to be had in the last few chapters. Loved it so much! I can't wait to read the next in series.
You'll love this book if you love non paranormal cozy mysteries with an amateur sleuth and a cast of supportive family and friends.
Book 3
LOVE LOVE LOVE Eryn Scott.
Her ability to tie in a literary themed into each book is masterful. As a Jane Austen fan I was excited for this book, and it didn't disappoint. The parallels and lines throughout were perfection.
As Pepper gains her detective street cred, each of these mysteries seems to be ramping up in complexity. She is so relatable, and humble. Each time she thinks that she has it figured out, the blaring hole in her logic is there to ground her into realizing that she isn't the police.
The ending to this one had me. So many twists and drama galore. A little part of me didn't want the murder to be the culprit in the end. I can't wait to read the next installment. Watching Pepper become the adultier adult is like watching my own train wreck into adulthood. lol
You'll love this book if you are a fan of bookstore themed cozies, with light romance and a complex case.
OMG. This book had me at the first chapter.
I love love love everything about this story. A true amateur sleuth, bumbling around, flinging accusations, knowing with everything she has that she knows who the killer is. It's fantastically written. I love Pepper so much, and excited to get to know her throughout these books.
I did not expect the final twist at all, caught me by surprise, but made total sense looking back at all the clues. It was such a well laid out mystery, my anxiety was in over drive for most of the book!
The small town setting, mixed with a college town reminded me of my own college days, it's just perfection. All of it.
You'll love this book if you love bumbling sleuths who make mistakes, provide a few embarrassing laughs, and have a strong support system.
Book 2
Such a well laid out mystery. I second guessed myself till the end.
I adore Pepper, and how she is attracted to the puzzle of the case, but knows rationally that she isn't the police. Her inner battle to solve the case or stay out of it is refreshing. While she is a take charge character she also know when to rely on her friend circle for help.
Every side character has their own growth arc, which I makes me love this series even more. This book is full of growth for all the characters in Pepper's life and I felt it added so much depth to the story.
This series having each book tie into a literary theme is perfection. It makes me so giddy to follow along as she connects the case back to a famous writer. With this being the second series I've read by Eryn that has heavy reader themes, I assume she is a fellow bibliophile. I hope to see more book related series from her.
This book features a serial killer, and it's so well set up. Throughout the book I kept trying to work through the clues, looking back the culprit totally makes sense, but man was it a good ride to get to that person.
And finally, the ending. Holy crap the ending made me teary eyed. So much awesomeness, and celebrating to be had in the last few chapters. Loved it so much! I can't wait to read the next in series.
You'll love this book if you love non paranormal cozy mysteries with an amateur sleuth and a cast of supportive family and friends.
Book 3
LOVE LOVE LOVE Eryn Scott.
Her ability to tie in a literary themed into each book is masterful. As a Jane Austen fan I was excited for this book, and it didn't disappoint. The parallels and lines throughout were perfection.
As Pepper gains her detective street cred, each of these mysteries seems to be ramping up in complexity. She is so relatable, and humble. Each time she thinks that she has it figured out, the blaring hole in her logic is there to ground her into realizing that she isn't the police.
The ending to this one had me. So many twists and drama galore. A little part of me didn't want the murder to be the culprit in the end. I can't wait to read the next installment. Watching Pepper become the adultier adult is like watching my own train wreck into adulthood. lol
You'll love this book if you are a fan of bookstore themed cozies, with light romance and a complex case.
October 8, 2021
1,2 and 3, Pepper Brooks Mystery
Eryn Scott has brought together the first three challenging and clever Pepper Brooks mysterys into one collection for cozey murder mystery readers to enjoy with hours of entertainment introducing a platform for good cozey mysterys and murder. A small town with the drama , mayhem ,intrigue,and secrets rsurrounding a large university in tow with the small town residence guarding their own. The array of characters is almost endless. Eryn Scott is a fabulous writer that draws you into the tale and keeping you enthralled through out while antidotes of laughter keeps a lighter note at times the mystery keeps you on the edge. Acquire " A Pepper Brooks Mystery Collection" today to get acquainted , then hooked on Pepper Brooks and her adventurous mysterys for hours of entertainment. 🙂🤔😏😀😉 Kat
Eryn Scott has brought together the first three challenging and clever Pepper Brooks mysterys into one collection for cozey murder mystery readers to enjoy with hours of entertainment introducing a platform for good cozey mysterys and murder. A small town with the drama , mayhem ,intrigue,and secrets rsurrounding a large university in tow with the small town residence guarding their own. The array of characters is almost endless. Eryn Scott is a fabulous writer that draws you into the tale and keeping you enthralled through out while antidotes of laughter keeps a lighter note at times the mystery keeps you on the edge. Acquire " A Pepper Brooks Mystery Collection" today to get acquainted , then hooked on Pepper Brooks and her adventurous mysterys for hours of entertainment. 🙂🤔😏😀😉 Kat
July 1, 2022
I guess I'm in the minority because I didn't enjoy this set of books nearly as much as most other reviewers. Pepper appeared very immature in that she was easily upset and did stupid things because she was told she's not a trained investigator and she puts herself in danger by her actions (very true, she did some amazingly stupid things, especially in the last book). Even though it took me quite a while to finish the series, I did enjoy the books (but I enjoy most books as long as there aren't a lot of proofreading errors).
May 1, 2020
A great little romantic cozy mystery series!
These stories are more than simply good cozy mysteries. A little romance and quotes from some of the literary greats are an added bonus. I love the characters in this series. They are developing so well. I am binge reading through this series.
The books are well-written, entertaining, fun and easy reads. If you enjoy a good mystery with a young adult as the heroine, then this is a series you will not want to miss reading.
These stories are more than simply good cozy mysteries. A little romance and quotes from some of the literary greats are an added bonus. I love the characters in this series. They are developing so well. I am binge reading through this series.
The books are well-written, entertaining, fun and easy reads. If you enjoy a good mystery with a young adult as the heroine, then this is a series you will not want to miss reading.
October 10, 2021
A season of Pepper to spice up your reading
A box set of three novels featuring Pepper and her best friend Liv. She also has a sweet dog, Hamburger, named by her young. niece. Pepper is a student at her local university and rooms with Liv and Hamburger. Pepper finds a body and becomes determined to find the culprit, much to the police. Very good characters, quirky and enigmatic in some cases. I liked how much the people became real and how I enjoyed reading about them.
A box set of three novels featuring Pepper and her best friend Liv. She also has a sweet dog, Hamburger, named by her young. niece. Pepper is a student at her local university and rooms with Liv and Hamburger. Pepper finds a body and becomes determined to find the culprit, much to the police. Very good characters, quirky and enigmatic in some cases. I liked how much the people became real and how I enjoyed reading about them.
February 6, 2022
Crazy, cozy murders before school is out.
A well written collection of books that range from funny to exciting. Students who should know better, set out to solve murders and do a pretty good job at it. The new boy friend's father is the new detective in town. Keeps it interesting. Lots of literary quotes along the way. Moves right along. I enjoyed the stories and think anyone who likes cozy mysteries would.
A well written collection of books that range from funny to exciting. Students who should know better, set out to solve murders and do a pretty good job at it. The new boy friend's father is the new detective in town. Keeps it interesting. Lots of literary quotes along the way. Moves right along. I enjoyed the stories and think anyone who likes cozy mysteries would.
October 11, 2021
Thank the author, it was great!
The author has a way of hiding the ending that had me reading the next two book with hardly any break !
I enjoyed the way the story was wound leading me away from the true bad guy until the last few pages, knowing I would have never guessed the real bad guy until it was over!
The author has a way of hiding the ending that had me reading the next two book with hardly any break !
I enjoyed the way the story was wound leading me away from the true bad guy until the last few pages, knowing I would have never guessed the real bad guy until it was over!
December 4, 2021
First Three in Series Delightful
Pepper meets Alex senior year in college, and sparks fly. The development of their relationship, along with him trying to keep her out of his investigations, is well written and fun to read. This is a very entertaining series, with very interesting characters.
I plan to keep on reading!
Pepper meets Alex senior year in college, and sparks fly. The development of their relationship, along with him trying to keep her out of his investigations, is well written and fun to read. This is a very entertaining series, with very interesting characters.
I plan to keep on reading!
April 11, 2022
cute and cozy mysteries
Pepper begins as senior at the local university with plans to build a career with her best friend, Hamburger. Liv is her roommate and side kick as they finish their last semester. Murders seem to fall at Pepper’s feet while she falls for a fellow collegiate.
Pepper begins as senior at the local university with plans to build a career with her best friend, Hamburger. Liv is her roommate and side kick as they finish their last semester. Murders seem to fall at Pepper’s feet while she falls for a fellow collegiate.
October 17, 2021
Wow, loved these books
Great fun, loved the great central characters as well as the details given for the peripheral town and gown, as well as each individual stories main characters. Thoroughly well thought out plots with twists and turns
Great fun, loved the great central characters as well as the details given for the peripheral town and gown, as well as each individual stories main characters. Thoroughly well thought out plots with twists and turns
December 16, 2021
A Pepper Brooks Mystery Collection
I really enjoyed reading this mystery collection. Each book had a surprise ending. I'm looking forward to reading more books written by Eryn Scott.
I really enjoyed reading this mystery collection. Each book had a surprise ending. I'm looking forward to reading more books written by Eryn Scott.
December 29, 2021
I enjoyed these 3 little cozies about a young lady. She was an English major in college in the first story and the owner of a used book store in the 3rd one. She wasn't always smart about avoiding danger, but I guess that's what makes it exciting. Nice boyfriend, too.
September 29, 2021
Enjoyable.
October 8, 2021
Really enjoyed this collection. The characters are not only believable, but lovable. Recommended for entertainment and enjoyment!
October 8, 2021
Enjoyable light reading.
October 10, 2021
Reviews under the individual titles
October 16, 2021
LOved all three books
November 2, 2021
These three books were fun to read. I liked the literary references. Fun, quick reads.
January 2, 2022
Cute, quick reading! Very light, fun mysteries. Kind of annoying that Pepper Brooks owns a bookstore called Brook’s Books; wouldn’t an English major know to put the apostrophe at the end?
July 7, 2023
Fun reads
A great why to keep depression away. Fun with interesting characters and I enjoyed all the quotes some if which a favorite with me.
A great why to keep depression away. Fun with interesting characters and I enjoyed all the quotes some if which a favorite with me.
January 2, 2022
Cozy mystery fun
I really liked these books. They definitely get better as you go. The literary references are great too. I thought it was so fun too look for ones I recognized.
I really liked these books. They definitely get better as you go. The literary references are great too. I thought it was so fun too look for ones I recognized.
August 29, 2019
Another good series
These were not the first of this author's books that I had read but I will continue reading her work. It has it all love, hate, murder, surprising twists and tight friends /family units. Good clean mystery.
These were not the first of this author's books that I had read but I will continue reading her work. It has it all love, hate, murder, surprising twists and tight friends /family units. Good clean mystery.
May 27, 2020
Unique cozy mysteries, add some classic names and you have some interesting plots. Read others by her, and enjoyed them.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews